Adolescent Delinquency Following Exposure to Childhood Traumatic Experiences: The Moderating Role of Resilience...

While the association between childhood traumatic experiences and subsequent adolescent delinquent behaviors is well established, commensurate understanding of the mitigating role of resilience factors remain poorly understood and warrant further investigation. This systematic review aims to examine empirically validated resilience factors that mitigate the negative outcome associated with childhood traumatic experience among adolescents who engage in, or are at risk of, delinquent behaviors. A total of 104 studies published between 2004 to 2022 were systematically identified according to PRISMA Guidelines through PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Dissertation & Thesis Global through ProQuest, and Sociological Abstract in May 2023. 67 studies were screened, and twelve studies that met the inclusion criteria were included. The findings were summarized. The result indicated that both internal (e.g., positive coping styles, religiosity, age, future orientation, self-esteem, mastery, sense of relatedness and emotional reactivity); and external resilience factors (e.g., family communication, school connectedness, engagement in community traditions, and peer role models) can contribute to ameliorating the impact of childhood traumatic experiences. This systematic review provides an empirical and conceptual examination of resilience factors that may prevent or mitigate the negative outcome of childhood traumatic experiences among adolescents who engage in, or are at risk of, delinquent behaviors. A conceptual model of the interaction between internal and external resilience factors and recommendations for future research were provided. The number and limitations of included studies also indicate the urgent need for more primary research in this area.